A cholera outbreak has killed nearly 300 people and left more than 3000 ill in Haiti. According to the associated press, this is currently stabilizing but we are only seeing an increase in scope.

This seriously hit home when Markenson Olibris, a current employee, former resident of our boys home and recently featured person in the CNN special Rescued, was informed yesterday that his 12 year old brother died from cholera in the countryside.

 We are taking precautionary steps to try and prevent the outbreak from spreading to us. Things like stocking up on hand sanitizer, soap, and re-hydration medicines and powders. We are also purchasing better filtered water for the staff and children at Maison de Lumiere. Unfortunately, in Haiti everything comes with a cost as we are finding such water becoming more expensive and harder to come by.

Still immersed in earthquake relief efforts, we are doing our best to prepare for and combat the latest wave of tragedy to hit this already devastated country. We are stocking up on medical supplies, seeking additional medical assistance for our clinic and attempting to deal with the rapid increase of inquiries and med patients. All of our kids and staff, thus far, are healthy but we are taking precautions by storing up on diesel fuel for our generators, re-hydration liquids, hand sanitizer and plenty of purified drinking water.

Education is always a strong tool in these types of situations and we are currently educating all of our staff and kids, as well as the kids from the neighborhood, on how to properly wash their hands in order to help prevent the spread of the disease.  We are copying, laminating and posting cholera health care information in Creole for our kids, staff and the local community.  Special training has been given to our cooks and others handling food and water supplies for the homes.  This Friday, Brooke, our resident nurse, will give a talk on how cholera to the 60 plus students at our MDL School. We foresee that if cholera does spread (and we are praying against that) that we need to be prepared to extend our resources and knowledge to those in the communities around us.

 
Please join us in praying for those who have been affected by cholera and for the health and safety of those who have not. Please pray against the fear that is being instilled in people about this disease and that the Lord would give them wisdom to rise above and conquer the lies of the enemy. We ask a special prayer for peace and health over our homes, staff, and children, that they may be used as a source of light and hope where those who despair can see the Lord's hand at work. 

 

We are utilizing already limited funds to fight this and are asking for your prayers and financial support at this time.  If you would like to make a donation to support this effort, you may donate online  at https://childhope.webconnex.com/donation_form?category=14230l or mail a check to Child Hope International, Cholera Fund, P.O. Box 3677, Redondo Beach,  California 90277

People living in tent cities are currently the most vulnerable to cholera. It remains our commitment to get people out of these temporary facilities and into more permanent housing. Therefore, Child Hope in Haiti is rebuilding old homes and constructing new homes as fast as we can. Unfortunately, as the earthquake faded from the headlines so has our funding for these efforts.

It has been ten months since Port-Au-Prince was left devastated by the 7.0 earthquake. While many lost hope and believed the lie of despair, we experienced God's provision in brilliant and continual ways.  Where there was lack of resources, God provided more than enough. Homes have been repaired, rent paid, and where ruble once accumulated, new homes now stand.  Amidst Haiti's 80% unemployment rate, we were even allowed to employ an entire Haitian staff of twenty previously unemployed construction workers to rebuild and repair homes. Each home that was once damaged or destroyed and now stands is a tangible fingerprint of God. We are again trusting in God to continue to provide the financing so that homes can continue to be built and lives protected from the unhealthy conditions of tent cities.

We pray that these homes and efforts not only provide safety and structure for families but also a relationship with the One that made it possible. Below are the some recent pictures of just a few of the homes Child Hope has been a part of rebuilding.

If you are able to assist with this effort, you may contribute to our rebuilding efforts at https://childhope.webconnex.com/donation_form?notes=Earthquake%20Relief&category=14234